Washington Nationals: 5 to watch in Beltway Series
By Ron Juckett
MAX SCHERZER
Last August, after Washington dropped the first three against Baltimore, Max Scherzer pitched one of the finest games of his career to salvage one game.
Scherzer shut down the Orioles over eight innings, scattering two hits, walking none while striking out 10. In 95 pitches, O’s hitters swung and missed 22. That is one less than his ball total. If you are a believer in the sabermetic Game Score statistic, it was his best game of he here, topping his 20-strikeout game against the Tigers 88-87.
With two double-digit strikeout games on his stat sheet already, Scherzer is poised to deliver another virtuoso performance soon. Against old friends, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Thursday, he punched out 11 in seven innings scattering two hits and a run.
Again, Game Score loved his 107-pitch effort, scoring it a 78. Getting 18 swings-and-misses helps.
Expected to pitch Tuesday in Baltimore against Ubaldo Jimenez, Scherzer can give the bullpen a needed night of virtual rest. If he can somehow pitch eight that is a tonic the team needs.
Scherzer has nine career starts against Baltimore. In 62.1 innings, he has a 5-2 record with a healthy ERA of 3.32, 74 strikeouts and WHIP of 1.091. That works.